1.Participants will introduce themselves
2.I will make a brief introduction about culture and design:

We will have a group discussion about the important values of design.
 •  Participants will express their own ideas about the way that cultural attitudes influence tangible and intangible design expression. Basically, I am interested in knowing what culture means to each person and what are the attributes / values that are important in the design process in order for ideas to be culturally accepted?
 •  We will plot cultural values and perceptions of Chinese culture and how that compares with Western countries – I am interested in hearing their opinions and assumptions.

Next, each participant must be prepared to present an object that they feel expresses their own cultural values. Each person must “self reflect” about the deep traditional values in their culture and how these values / attitudes not only shape design and but causes a negative or positive reaction to other designs. For example, a Ferrari (Italy), Porsche (Germany) and Volvo (Sweden) are the same idea that share a common standard of excellence for their value – and they are all cars – but their design values and attitudes makes them unique through cultural differentiation.

 •  Each participant must bring two design examples – one that is old and one that is new – and each must express cultural attitudes. I am hopeful that both examples will reflect the same cultural values.
 •  The reason for choosing the example cannot be based on family nostalgia. That is, do not select an object because it gives them good memories of their childhood or family. The examples must serve to explain real cultural traditions and values expressed in ideas of color, form, rhythm, clarity, details, utility, etc., that are relative to the culture as a whole.

Next, we will map out their assumptions about Asian culture? Make a list what they feel is the difference between different Asian countries like Japan, Korea and China.

 •  Each participant will bring examples / objects or photos of what they feel represents Korean, Japanese and Chinese culture and be able to explain why. It is better if they bring real examples (objects) and not photos
 •  This is a workshop based on exploration and evolving insight so people must not worry about being right or wrong.

If there is time, we will discuss the difference between the acceptance of Eastern and Western ideas. I will make a presentation that outlines my experience in Asia, the complex differences and the need to understand their own culture.

 •  I will talk about Japan, Korea (Samsung) and China (Lenovo and Changhong) and some more about Chinese values as China is the mother to all Asian cultures.
 •  We will plot out the long history of China and discuss examples of the best designs from each dynasty and we will discuss why it is pertinent to the Chinese traditional cultural values that are still present today.
 •  We will also try to draw conclusions as to the specific Asian values that also connect at a global level with all cultures. We will summarize the most important values that appeal universally and at the same time have a specific cultural domestic attraction and give diversification and strength to the idea – like Chinese food: loved domestically and internationally (with minor modifications).